What Could Possibly Go Wrong With A Used 100k Mile Audi S-Sedan?

"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo)
10/17/2014 at 12:52 • Filed to: Daily Turismo, Blog

You've got $19k to spend on a used Audi, do you get a V10 powered S6 or a 6-spd manual shifted S4? It probably doesn't matter, but the bigger question is; How much do you budget for catastrophic repairs?

Cromniomancy is the art of divination using onions. In practice, you inscribe two choices (perhaps for love life or career choice) on the bottom of two onions and wait for one to sprout — the first one with a sprout lets you know which of the two choices you need to follow. Personally, I find this sort of witchcraft disgusting, not just because of my dislike for onions (actually they do taste good when cooked, but raw onions are about as appealing to eat as a set of used spark plugs), but also because I prefer the art of Audiomancy. This is where you buy two used Audis, inscribe your life changing choices and wait for one to have a catastrophic failure that requires a multi-week dealer visit. Oddly enough, Audiomancy is a great way to make important financial decisions while simultaneously emptying your bank account and rendering those financial issues moot. Plus, who has time to wait for those onions to sprout — a used Audi is only a few good throttle pedal mashes away from some complex and financially crippling electro-hydra-mechnical failure. Here is a set of used Audis ready for the Audiorceror; first is this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! offered for $18,900 and second is this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! offered for $18,999, both cars are located in St Louis, MO via craigslist.

The choice between an B7 S4 vs C6 S6 is an interesting one, because while the cars might seem very different in approach, they are very similar in result. The C6 generation S6 starts with a powerful 5.2 liter V10 engine borrowed from the Lamborghini Gallardo and mates it to a 6-speed tiptronic shifted slushbox. The B7 generation S4 starts with a 4.2 liter Audi V8 and puts the power through a 6-speed manual gearbox. However, once you factor in the S6's additional mass, the power-weight ratio is almost the same and straight line performance is neck-and-neck. Both cars use Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system to get the power to the ground, and the interior space is surprisingly similar.

First up is the C6 S6, which you really buy because of the engine. How many other ways can you get into a V10 powered luxury sedan...well none outside of the E60 M5. It would have been great if Audi had placed a 6-speed or one of their fabulous DSG transmission behind the V10, but rich executive types who would buy such a vehicle new overwhelmingly prefer a simple slushbox.

The real beauty of the S6 is under the hood — a 5.2 liter V10 that is a bored/stroked version of the engine from the Lamborghini Gallardo. Expect 435 horsepower and a relatively high 7,000 rpm redline from the screaming V10. This is an engine you buy for the sound track alone.

The Audi S4 is slightly smaller than the S6 (mostly back seat leg room) and ostensibly a sportier vehicle. However, the S4 is still more of an Autobahn cruiser than a cone crusher and will be considerably slower through a set of autocross cones than an similar era M3 or W203 AMG C-Class (C32/C55). Chalk it up to the nose heavy understeer trait of the S4, but while it feels great at 8/10ths, everything turns to terminal understeer when you push it harder.

Regardless of extreme understeer, the S4 makes a fantastic place for a daily commute with occasional ability to open it up . The 4.2 liter V8 is rated at 340 horsepower and 302 ft-lbs of torque, and is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Enjoy an annoying animated gif to demonstrate how similar the two cars are in appearance.

Hat tip to cherry_man1 on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Originally posted as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

DISCUSSION (6)

Party-vi > DailyTurismo
10/17/2014 at 12:58

Even with the additional mileage I'd grab the S6. Those two extra cylinders will make me happier.

DailyTurismo > Party-vi
10/17/2014 at 13:01

I have to agree with you. The slushbox would be a bummer...but perhaps an open exhaust would make you feel better!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > DailyTurismo
10/17/2014 at 13:06

That engine is the same as in the S8 of that year. I drove one a little less than a month ago, and it is a phenomenal engine. The speed is rivaled only by the noise. I much prefer the S6 0ver the RS4, and I would love to own one. But be warned, the only thing more expensive to upkeep than a fast German sedan is a fast German sedan with a Lamborghini V10. Add 103k miles onto said car and you'll likely pay out your ears in repairs.

RallyWrench > DailyTurismo
10/17/2014 at 15:16

Fun fact: The intake manifold on the S6 costs $2,000, and has to be replaced when its plastic variable intake mechanism crumbles. With parts and labor including port carbon cleaning, this is at best a $3400 job. Just did one on a well cared for 84k mile car.

I'd pick the manual S4, just to keep things a bit simpler. The V10 is glorious, but multiplies the headache potential. The S6 is a car you buy just for its engine, because the only thing it really does well is cruise & sound wicked. They make the S4 feel like an M3.

marshknute > DailyTurismo
10/17/2014 at 17:10

My dad drives a 2009 S8. The V10 is more than worth sacrificing a manual transmission.

The B7 S4 is a fantastic sport sedan, but a V10 turns a sport sedan into something exotic.

DailyTurismo > RallyWrench
10/17/2014 at 17:16

I had a friend with an Audi A4 3.0 from a few years back have a similarly costly variable length intake failure. Symptoms are: the engine sounds like it is going to explode when driving around, so when he found it was only a $3000 replacement, he was happy. Sold it the next month.